British Columbia

Fire in Chilliwack, B.C., damages businesses and apartments

Every fire hall in Chilliwack, B.C., was involved in fighting a destructive blaze in the centre of the city early Wednesday. 

3 dozen crew members battled fire at mixed-use building in city centre, says fire department

Two firefighters point a hose at smoke and flames.
Two Chilliwack firefighters tackling a fire in 2021. (Shane McKichan)

Every fire hall in Chilliwack, B.C., was involved in fighting a blaze in the centre of the city early Wednesday. 

A statement from the Chilliwack Fire Department says crews encountered heavy, black smoke in the 45000 block of Wellington Avenue at about 12:30 a.m.

The fire was in a mixed-use building with apartments over commercial space. 

The statement says three dozen crew members were involved and they at first tried to fight the fire from inside, but were forced to withdraw and take a defensive strategy to gain control of the blaze. 

There were no reported injuries to either residents or firefighters, although the fire department says it's a good reminder for residents of the importance of having working smoke alarms. 

It says the cause of the fire remains under investigation.